Longtime Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust director leaving post

TIMES RECORD • August 27, 2023

The longtime director of the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust is leaving her post at the end of the month to become program director for the Maine Land Trust Network. Angela Twitchell served as executive director of the land trust since 2008 and has overseen 60 conservation projects. Former land trust board President Brad Babson credited Twitchell for growing the land trust, which has a staff of 12 overseeing 3,220 acres of conservation property and 23 miles of public trails. She also oversaw the land trust’s merger with the Cathance River Education Allianceearlier this year, which she said will increase educational opportunities and resources for the community.

Watch this mink family slink silently across a pond outlet

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 27, 2023

Allie Ladd of Byron has found with one of his favorite trail camera locations that no matter how many times he relies on a certain position, he’s bound to come up with some outstanding wildlife footage. Today’s video compilation provides a look at a handful of different animals and birds all taking advantage of a particular spot. The camera is located low and is aimed toward a log that crosses the outlet to a pond. It is incredible how many critters visit the spot or actually take advantage of the fallen tree.

Column: A regular hiker’s guide to Appalachian Trail terminology

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 27, 2023

Spend time on or near Maine’s 282-mile section of the Appalachian Trail over the next couple months and you’ll likely encounter that legendary animal known as the “thru-hiker.” With their ragtag appearance, deep tan, muscular legs, beat-up backpack, distinct odor, and a language all their own, they’re hard to miss. Here’s an insider’s guide to some of their terminology. ~ Carey Kish

Column: Feeding habits of migrating shorebirds can help with identification

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 27, 2023

Fall shorebird migration is well under way, and the intertidal habitats in Maine are hosting legions of shorebirds that are passing through. Many of the species we are seeing now nested on the arctic tundra and are headed to wintering grounds in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Shorebird identification can be daunting. Observe their behavior rather than dwelling on the nuances of identification. ~ Herb Wilson

Column: Getting a bear to take the bait is no easy task

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 27, 2023

It’s by no means easy, which might seem counterintuitive to the uninitiated. You put a barrel of donuts in the woods, climb up in a tree and wait; how tough can that be? You have to choose the right location to set your bait. If and when they do come, they’re hardly naive. Hunting bears over bait sometimes gets an undeserved bad rap. ~ Bob Humphrey

Letter: Public power advocates aren’t thinking about tax revenue

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 27, 2023

Having served as chair of my town’s board of selectmen, I can tell you the state is known for not fulfilling its financial commitments to municipalities when times get lean. That’s why I’m very concerned about the impact of the Pine Tree Power ballot initiative (Question 3) should it pass in November, because it proposes acquiring the two largest property taxpayers in the state to create a new state-owned electric utility. Many towns and cities rely on the tens of millions of tax dollars paid by our existing utilities. When unhappy ratepayers start complaining about their high electric bills, I believe they’ll cut, or even eliminate, property tax payments. Please vote “No” on Question 3. ~ Lincoln Merrill, North Yarmouth

Opinion: We can fight climate change with our forks

TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY • August 26, 2023

Regions previously unaffected by major wildfires have become much more vulnerable in recent years due to the human-induced climate catastrophe. Scientists warn that if we are to change course, we will need to slash our greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and stop adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by the early 2050s. Going vegan is the single best step in helping to curb the destruction humans are inflicting on the Earth. Eating meat puts our home and that of countless other species in danger. ~ Jade Napierala, PETA Foundation

MSAD 61 target of lawsuit after Casco teen dies on school hiking trip

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 26, 2023

The parents of a Casco teen who died on a school-sponsored “Senior Awareness” hiking and camping trip nearly two years ago filed a federal lawsuit Friday against MSAD 61 and two staff members. Michael Strecker, 17, had just begun his senior year at Lake Region High School when he died on Sept. 12, 2021, at the end of a daylong hike on South Baldface Mountain in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. Strecker succumbed to exertional heatstroke as students and staff descended the mountain in North Chatham, New Hampshire, according to the complaint filed by his parents, Amy Tait of Casco and Christopher Strecker.

Letter: Concerned about proposed Pickett Mountain mine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 26, 2023

As a longtime resident of the Katahdin area, I have very deep concerns about the Pickett Mountain mining project proposed near Patten. Mines can pollute the area in which they reside. Wolfden has notoperated a metal mine. The Katahdin area is not a place for experiments. Mining is a boom/bust economy. A short economic boom for a potential eternity of destruction doesn’t sound like a good deal. Tourism will benefit us all as all services and jobs are needed. I think the mine will only salt the earth, making sure nothing can grow and destroy our beautiful home. ~ Becky Noyes, Patten

Letter: Balance clean energy needs with local impacts

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 26, 2023

There is no question that implementing new forms of clean energy should happen sooner rather than later. In the process of doing so though we need to make sure that those who are at risk of losing any land, buildings, resources, etc., are compensated. Whether you are in favor of or against building the corridor, there needs to be more planning that goes into this project. This could include which route it is going to take through the state, a thorough communication plan to ensure that Mainers are well aware of what is going to happen and an in-depth look into any potential impacts. ~ Ben Bucklin, Searsport

Young humpback whale spotted in Sheepscot River

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 26, 2023

A humpback whale has been spotted this week in the Sheepscot River in the Wiscasset area. The Marine Mammals of Maine has been monitoring the young whale and reports that it appears to be healthy. Sightings of the whale in the area were reported nearly every day this week.

Spruce Mountain directors approve chaga mushroom project

LIVERMORE FALLS ADVERTISER • August 26, 2023

Regional School Unit 73 directors on Thursday conditionally approved a contract for JustNiks Micosilva to work with teachers and students to raise chaga mushrooms on district land. “The Spruce Mountain mycoforestry outdoor research project gives Spruce Mountain High School students the opportunity to learn about fungi in an outdoor environment,” teacher Rob Taylor said. “Chaga mushrooms are a valued commodity, prized for their high levels of antioxidants.” Justin Triquet and Nikki Leroux, owners of JustNiks Mycosilva, have offered to provide dowels infused with chaga spores to inoculate birch trees in the forest abutting its Jay schools.

Opinion: South Portland’s neglect of Willard Beach fails locals and visitors alike

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 26, 2023

Department heads and council members ignored high levels of fecal bacteria contamination at Willard Beach until neighbors emailed and met with city officials this summer. Willard Beach has the highest levels, and second highest days of contamination, of more than 60 beaches monitored by the Maine Healthy Beaches initiative. Even higher levels of fecal bacteria are found in the stormwater runoff that empties through a 36-inch drainpipe onto the beach and into Casco Bay. Probably both humans and dogs are responsible for the ongoing contamination. It is time for South Portland to take whatever actions and messaging necessary to make Willard Beach safe and healthy, both in the short and the long term. ~ Diane Gotelli, South Portland

Letter: Consumers can go green without Pine Tree Power

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 26, 2023

I’ve been confused by recent letters and Victoria Hugo-Vidal’s Aug. 6 column on Pine Tree Power (“The Maine Millennial: Pine Tree Power will be a change for the better”). They have suggested that the reason to vote for this change is to move us, as a state, to green power. I thought that this vote had nothing to do with the source of the power but with the ownership of the transmission and distribution system. You can currently choose green power and may pay a small premium, but this will show providers that there is a market. You can do this now! Please consider in-depth reporting on the choice coming up and what it really means. I’m very concerned that people may vote for this for reasons that aren’t true and we will be stuck with a big bill for naught. ~ Jim Fitch, New Gloucester

Letter: Support for Portland-to-Auburn recreational trail

SUN JOURNAL • August 26, 2023

I am writing to support converting the Berlin Subdivision/St. Lawrence and Atlantic rail corridor to a multi-use trail linking Portland and Auburn. Passenger rail to Auburn would not be an alternative, since this line does not connect to the Portland Transportation Center/Amtrak Downeaster and so would get little potential use. People should contact their state representatives, since they will ultimately decide the fate of this corridor. Information about the plans can be found at maine.gov/mdot/ofps. ~ Joe Pelliccia, Auburn

Fighting for the Future of the Endangered Species Act

MAINE AUDUBON • August 25, 2023

The Endangered Species Act is turning 50 this year! This law is one of our most important tools to conserve our nation’s most vulnerable species – which, right now, includes 740 animals and 940 plants. Fifty years of experience has proven that the Endangered Species Act works: it has prevented the extinction of 99% of the species it protects. Yet despite its track record, the Endangered Species Act’s own future is in doubt. The Trump Administration worked tirelessly to weaken the ESA, and attacks continue from Congress. Right now, we have an important opportunity to both reverse the damage done, address current threats to this landmark law, and potentially make the Act even stronger. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service recently proposed several revisions to the Endangered Species Act. We spent weeks reviewing their suggestions thoroughly and while many are good, we urged these federal agencies to be even bolder.

Letter: Happy to see solar panels in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 25, 2023

How good to drive around Maine this summer and find fields and highway interchanges filled with new solar panels. What a way to keep Maine warm all winter long. A few years ago, the interchange at Belgrade was cleared and it looked like a desert after years of trees and cool shade for hot summertime. Now I understand why. Welcome solar panels filling empty fields and alongside busy highways. The cleared deserts of Maine are being well utilized. Maybe summer travelers will take this idea back to their winter home states. Solar panels help with power for much more than simply winter heat. How are all those air conditioners powered in hot places? ~ Martha F. Barkley, Belgrade Lakes

Whale puts on a show in midcoast river

CBS 13 • August 25, 2023

A whale was spotted putting on quite the show in the midcoast on Thursday. George Bryer was on his boat when he captured video of a whale breaching in the Sheepscot River near Wiscasset. According to the Wiscasset Newspaper, the whale was spotted near Westport around 11:15 a.m. before swimming up the Sheepscot River and being spotted in Wiscasset.

Boil-water order issued in North Jay following water line breaks

SUN JOURNAL • August 25, 2023

Two water line breaks in the area were fixed as of Friday morning. The water has been turned on for customers north of Look Brook and the rest of the area from Old Jay Hill Road area north is expected to be turned on Friday. Once customers get their water back they are asked to boil any water being used for consumption. The district will bring samples of water to a laboratory in Augusta to be tested for E. coli and coliform bacteria.